Juniper's Knot

Chapter One

Much of these stone walls and floors have weathered into dirt and dust, revealing the foundation. Much of the ceiling, too, has crumbled to the ground, layering in flecks and bits. Below me now is such tired soil. Tired, tired soil... There isn't much to do here but burn dead leaves and wait. Watch the smoke rise curl up fresh and tickle the inside of your nose. Dull as bones, it is. But what can I do? I'm stuck. Some might say cursed; I'd rather say bound. I don't like to think very much about it.
I kneel to the small fire I've started, taking up a few embers and loam into my palm. It's this glow that stirs me and reminds me that my heart is still beating. I bring the scorched earth close to my face, shut my eyes and breathe it in. I taste it and spit. It's barren. I'm probably going to wait here forever.

"What?"

There's an unnatural rustling not far off- outwest? West, aye? What is it? Who? Another, here? My eyes sharpen and my ears perk up. I feel my heart thumping into my throat. Should I be forward? Give a call? Would that work? Cry out plead: "Help! Help! Damsel!" A fool sort of lie. Would that work? No, go still; listen just listen... Whatever it is, it's right busy about here. Noise is tumbling rough from old doorways; chests whine open; shops and homes are explored.
A scavenger, then... ? Someone found this place? Tut, hm; hearing these sounds is just... odd. It shouldn't be... "Odd," but it is. Strange. I should remember such sounds. Oh? The noise is getting closer... Is it? Am I imagining this? No, no: it's surely in the manor, now; poking around the kitchen and the lounge? I decide (on the chance that it will find its way to the ballroom) to stand. I take good posture and await this new company.
And to my surprise, it... he shows up at the door within the next minute. A boy? A man? What kind of thing is this, again? He's carrying a pack and has a bottle on his waist... Maybe he's a traveler, then? Doesn't look like he's noticed me yet. He's just wandered in, stare adrift. After a few steps, I catch his eye. He moves a little closer to look me in the face, and then some more to see my feet. He stops there. He's staring, now, and doing nothing more.

     "...come here!"

As if realizing something, he stiffens. His heart beats loud in the air.

     "I need your help, so come on! Come here!"

He doesn't bend... What is he up to? What does he think this is? I speak again, this time with a little bite.

     "The Hell you waiting for, tut? Oh, oh, have I been rude? Have I been rude? Oh, well! You are cordially invited to move your dumb legs!"

For the first conversational words I've spoken in centuries, they could've been worse.